me arts ed

Safe Passages Celebrates 10 Years

Last evening I had the privilege of attending a celebration of a collaboration of kids artwork. The art exhibit held at the Caldbeck Gallery was filled with color and images of Guatamala. An appreciation for the young artists and the work of the Safe Passage program was evident.

Camden artist Antonia Munroe and her two children traveled to Guatemala in March to to lead an art workshop with the children from the Safe Passage program. Safe Passage is ten years old and works with the poorest at-risk children of families working in the Guatemala City garbage dump.

Argy and artist Antonia

On her return to Maine, Antonia collaborated with Sarah Nelson, 2nd grade teacher in Morrill at Gladys Weymouth Elementary School. (I had Sarah as a student in my middle school art class over 25 years ago). Antonia also worked with the students from the Children’s House Montessori School in Camden.

Students in Guatemala and Maine looked at the same images to create their works of art. The exhibit contained work from all three groups of students. Statements from the children clearly express the importance of creating art and the impact art has on their lives. I include those comments below and suggest you ask your students (if you don’t already do so) what creating art, making music, dancing and acting mean to them. Please share those comments in the meartsed blog.

In the voice of the students:

Sarah Nelson, 2nd grade teacher

“I like to paint. I feel enthusiastic when I paint. Art can help me get ahead, help me do my work, it motivates me. I want to always be able to do art.” Jose, age 14

“I like to make designs, and color drawings so they look almost real. Art can help people design their houses, get rid of stress, advance communities. It can help many people. Also, some people just like to paint.” Walter, age 16

“Art helps you learn different things. I feel good when I paint. It can help you reach other people who then teach other people. We can learn how to feel happy.” Paula, age 10

Argy w/ 2nd gr artist from Gladys Weymouth School and her mom (I had her as a student as well)

Online MLTI Spring Conference

Yesterday Carol Waldron and I had a great time presenting our session for the online conference called Blogging it Up! The first picture is us presenting.

The conference is scheduled through today so you can catch sessions this afternoon and one this evening. I am certain that the format will be incorporated into more opportunities in the future so this would be a GREAT opportunity for you to try it out. It is fairly simple to use the system. Just click here for the page with the workshop offerings, click on the one you wish to attend and you will see a prompt on how to join in. You will need a speaker phone and your computer.

The sessions are free and they are recorded so if you are unavailable during the scheduled session you can listen and learn later on. And, in the comfort of your own home! Carol and I think of ourselves as two of the guinea pigs who presented workshops so here we are doing our part.

Happy May – Sending you flowers!

Purple Trillium (Stinking Benjamin)

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week I am sending you flowers! The daffodils have gone by, in my front yard, and the tulips are smiling. On my morning walk I see white and pink wood anemones. I don’t remember pink ones from past Springs. And the biggest treat is seeing several Purple Trillium (Stinking Benjamins) in my back woods. They are beautiful! If I could visit each of you, I’d give you flowers, instead I give you my photo! ENJOY and know that I APPRECIATE what you do for all Maine students!

For Teacher Appreciation Week I hope you will join the MLTI online conference: Teaching with Technology: Pictures Sounds Numbers and Words being held, May 4-7, 2009. Angus King delivers the keynote on Monday, May 4th, 3:00-4:15. The title is “The Educational Imperative: Would you rather own a newspaper or E-Bay?” Several good sessions are being offered over the 3 days. You just need a computer and a phone line and you can join any of the sessions. Please learn what is being offered by clicking here. Don’t miss this unique (free) opportunity!

Technology, Entertainment, Design

If you’ve never listened to any TED talks this is what they are all about…. individuals with the brightest minds, who are the most creative thinkers, and have the newest innovations and most fascinating ideas present their thoughts, live. “Having the brightest minds of our time talking about the things they love and that changed their lives is what TED offers to the world.”

Here are three of my favorite TED talks:
Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? Yes, he addresses schools and what they do to creativity. He has a wonderful sense of humor while delivering his message. Please click here. Robinson has a new book that came out in January called The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. I strongly recommend it, not only will it give you personal insight but professional awareness as well.

Margaret Wertheim: The beautiful math that links coral, crochet and hyperbolic geometry. Take a look at this and it will be plain to see the connection between the arts and math. Please click here.

Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of sight. Her story as a brain researcher and the description of her step by step of actually having a stroke. It is an incredible story. Please click here.

If you have favorite TED talks PLEASE share them by commenting.

June marks the beginning of the 2009 Bates Dance Festival season

Bates Dance Festival offers a variety of opportunities for dancers and audience members of all ages. Festival Director, Laura Faure and Registrar Nancy Salmon are busy getting ready to greet the hundreds of students, dancers and audience members who will benefit from the festival.

The main stage series will feature dazzling and provocative new works by Kate Weare Company, Battleworks, Tania Isaac Dance, Bebe Miller Company and world-class musicians and visiting artists; over 30 of America’s finest dance artists will offer a diverse array of classes for 280 dancers from around the globe .

Seventy local children can participate in an expanded program this year that is filled with music and dance. Dance scholars will present panel discussions and lectures that enhance your knowledge of the making and the meaning of dance.

The festival takes place on the Bates College campus in Lewiston. You can learn more about the programs and performances by clicking here. If you have questions email Nancy at dancefest@bates.edu.

Bangor senior, Katie Porter’s artwork “Neighborly Turkey” selected!

Katie Porter's "Neighborly Turkey"

This is the second year in a row that Bangor High School art teacher, Kal Elmore, had a student’s artwork selected in the Liberty Graphics contest. The theme this year was “Art and our Natural Environment” and has been sponsored for 12 years. Tom Opper, owner of Liberty Graphics, sponsors the $1000.00 scholarship contest, open to all Maine high school seniors, to encourage Maine students in their artistic endeavors.

Kal says of Katie and her artwork: “Katie is a talented student who is one of the school’s top students academically and is a star on the math and cross country teams – a multi-talented young woman. He art work is always strong, she works hard to make sure all work meets her extremely high standard.”

“Katie is currently working to complete her AP Studio Art portfolio, her concentration focuses on biology and evolution. Some of these works explore the idea of mutation and natural selection. The collection of works reveals this student’s skill and ability with a wide variety of media and techniques. Katie has been a treat to have in class for a variety of reasons. She puts forth the time and effort to do her best in all situations and always strives for a meaningful outcome.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATIE AND KAL!